Paper types

All paper types should be submitted online. Weak and poorly presented manuscripts will be rejected
without review and it is the responsibility of the authors to check that the paper fits within the Aim and
Scope of this journal. The Editor-in Chief will allocate submitted papers to a member of the Editorial
Board, who will oversee the refereeing process, before making a recommendation to the Editor in Chief.
Authors are advised to have their papers subjected to an internal review process before submission and
also have the paper checked by a fluent English speaker.

Research paper
Research papers should report a new and original study that is directly relevant to organic farming and
food systems. The study may be focussed on one aspect or take an inter- or trans-disciplinary approach.
For full details of the range of topics suitable see the Aims and Scope. While the broad scope of the
journal makes prescriptions about presentation difficult, it is likely that a research paper will include the
following sections (see Instructions to Authors for full details on presentation):
Abstract 150-250 words
Introduction Setting the context of the work and giving the reader access to a summary of
the most relevant recent literature on the topic; concluding with a clearly
stated aim for the work).
Methods Including criteria for case study selection if relevant.
Results Clearly summarised with appropriate statistical analysis; additional materials
may be provided as appendices in the on-line version.
Discussion Critical appraisal of the results in the light of the study aim and previous
published findings /hypotheses.
Conclusions These should not simply be a summary of the previous results and
discussion section but should integrate key points or draw out
recommendations.
Acknowledgments All funders whether in cash or kind should be clearly acknowledged.
References


Review
Authors, who are considering compiling a review paper, should contact the Editor-in-Chief in the first
instance with a brief outline of the topic to be covered and the scope of the review including main
subsections (1 page of A4). This is to avoid unnecessary work for authors where a number of reviews on
the same topic are submitted almost simultaneously. Reviews which take a broad inter- or trans-
disciplinary perspective towards an issue of concern to researchers and practitioners in organic farming
and food systems are particularly welcomed. Reviews will follow normal editorial processes of
consideration. Therefore a review once submitted following the initial invitation by the Editor-in-Chief does
not guarantee acceptance of the final manuscript. It is likely that a review will include the following
sections (see Instructions to Authors for full details on presentation):
Abstract 150-250 words
Introduction Setting the broad context of the work and concluding with a clearly stated
aim.
Methods The scope and approach to the compilation of the information forming the
basis of the review together with any criteria used for inclusion/exclusion of
studies should be reported clearly.
Main body In appropriate sub-sections
Conclusions These should not simply be a summary of the previous results and
discussion section but should integrate key points or draw out
recommendations
Acknowledgments All funders whether in cash or kind should be clearly acknowledged.
References



Region / country overview
Authors considering preparing a country / regional overview should contact the Editor-in-Chief in the first
instance indicating the scope proposed. A country overview should include the following sections:
Abstract 150-250 words
Introduction Brief information on physical geography (climate, geology, topography, soils)
and typical conventional agricultural systems
History and development
Key statistics (if available) and organisational structure of the organic sector
Extent and characteristics of farming systems
Extent and characteristics of food systems
Consumer demand and markets
Policy and governance
Conclusion Key challenges and recommendations
Acknowledgments All funders whether in cash or kind should be clearly acknowledged.
References

Technical note
These should draw together the results of a number of research studies in a format suitable for wider
application. They will not present the results of new studies (research papers) nor provide an extensive
critical review of the literature (reviews). Instead these papers should be focussed summaries (1000-
1500 words excluding references) which draw out key principles with broad applicability and which might
for example: support the further development of advisory notes to farmers at a regional level; the uptake
of a new/revised research approach, or; highlight a key trend in consumer attitudes or behaviour. A
technical note should include the following sections:
Abstract 100-150 words
Introduction Setting the broad context of the work and concluding with a clearly stated
aim.
Main body In appropriate sub-sections
Conclusions These should not simply be a summary of the previous sections but should
integrate key points or draw out recommendations
Acknowledgments All funders whether in cash or kind should be clearly acknowledged.
References

http://www.springer.com/journal/13165